Etihad Airways raises million Dirhams to support ‘We Care Yemen’ and two schools in Kenya

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has raised approximately one million dirhams to support the ‘We Care Yemen’ campaign and has helped renovate two schools in Kenya as part of the airline’s annual charity fundraising in cooperation with the UAE Red Crescent.

The donation was announced during the closing
ceremony of the World Aviation Football Cup and the Food & Fashion
Festival, organised by Etihad Airways’ Sports and Social Committee, held
at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort.

The football teams of 28 international airline and aviation
groups participated in the event, which included a wide range of
activities such as henna painting, musical entertainment, a ballet, and costume
competitions. Etihad Airways provided prizes of a safari package to Kenya for
the first winner and also for the runner-up.

Khaled Al Mehairbi, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President
Government and Aero Political Affairs, who also serves as Chairman of the
Sports and Social Committee, said: “As the UAE’s national airline, we are
pleased to reaffirm our commitment to society and give back to those in
need. We are delighted to collaborate with the UAE Red Crescent to serve
and support these causes.

“We extend our thanks to our guests, sponsors and
suppliers who participated in the generous fund raising programs during 2015 in
support of those in need. Collectively, we have given a glimmer of hope and the
chance of a better future to our brothers and sisters in Yemen and Kenya."

The opening ceremony was led by the UAE National Deaf
Youth Orchestra. The show also included performances by Salah the Entertainer,
the winner of Arabs Got Talent 2015, Hamza Hawaswi, the winner of X Factor
2015, and the American singer, Dynasty. A kids’ ballet show by Abu Dhabi-based
Fusion Arts was another highlight of the event.

Charitable donations for Yemen were collected through
various initiatives including the donation of Etihad Guest Miles online, an
Etihad garage sale, through the Etihad football league, the donation of new
school bags and stationery to Yemeni children by Etihad Airways staff, and cash
donations at the Emirates Red Crescent collection boxes.

The airline’s initiatives to support the ‘Yemen We Care’
campaign and Kenya are part of an earlier agreement on humanitarian and social
cooperation between Etihad Airways and Emirates Red Crescent.

The community event was attended by Her Excellency
Khadija Issa Yusuf, Kenyan Ambassador to the UAE, Mr Humaid R Al-Shamsi, Deputy
Secretary General for International Aid of Emirates Red Crescent, Dr Khawla
Salem Al Saaedi, President’s Representative of Women and Health Alliance
International

Also attending were and Secretary General of Her
Excellency Mariam Saif Al Qubaisi, Head of Special Needs Sector at Zayed Higher
Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs (ZHO), Hamad Alhosani,
Domestic Promotion Executive of TCA Abu Dhabi, and Mohammad Ali Khilji, General
Manager of Axiom UAE.